So, he died doing what he loves to do, so what? It's just another person gone from the planet. Why should he get more attention than a starving Ethiopian child, or anything else that's better suited for our attention?

I'm sorry he's gone, I'm sorry he's become a stingray statistic. But, it's done. Not much more we can do about it. And, I'm entitled to still dislike him. Nothing you can ever say will change that.

Some things, especially the egregiously assholish things, really, really, REALLY should just be kept to ourselves. There's a time and place for everything, and the last place to be discussing how much we "disliked" someone is in a discussion about their death. Not only is it offensive, but it doesn't make you look like an asshole, it makes you look like a downright social retard. Sure, I wasn't a Steve Irwin "fan", but he deserves at least some respect for what he did with himself and it is absolutely unnecessary to state that he's "just another person". Keep it to yourself if thats how you think, because 99% of the people who hear that will get irritated, and it doesn't matter if THEY can't do anything to stop you from saying things like that, you should know better to not even say things like that in the first place. I'm sorry, I know I've been lurking, maybe even trolling, but the reason why I haven't been as active is because I've only read topic upon topic filled to the brim with bitter responses to things, and this thread is a prime example. Ah, whatever, that's a topic for another time. I'm just thanking Xeo to be the first person to have the balls to finally say something about this.

Now, I should try to do the mature thing and steer this thread back to what it originally was instead of ramming it farther off track, though that may be a little late, so I'll try my best. It really is a shame that we had to lose someone like Steve Irwin, and it's an even bigger shame that he had to go so early. It was a different way to die, so, as terrible as this may sound, maybe it was a fitting way to go out. I mean, how many people have been killed by stingrays, 70 in recorded history? An exotic end for an exotic man, I guess. This guy was a child hood hero to a lotta people, and was pretty near and dear to plenty of Australians. I couldn't even tell you how many people my step-mother (who's Tasmanian) knew that were litterally in tears because it was like they're national spokesperson was taken from them. He kind of revolutionized the whole animal documentary thing; everything from before him was pretty dry, and anyone that wasn't him (like Jeff Corwin) just never made it as exciting. He might've been wreckless, and a cornball at times, but I honestly wouldn't have had it any other way if I had my way with things, and I don't think anyone else would.

Overall, a cool man and excellent rolemodel who left a pretty distinct mark on this world. Again, a shame he had to go so early, but everything he's done will certainly be appreciated.

StitchMr. BrightDr. Thread Killa, to you.Look, I'm an ass sometimes. Get over it.

On the contrary, I can talk. I can be bitter, and I can be an asshole, and I can do whatever I want to do or say. Why? I'm no longer an agent of the US Government, so I've regained my rights as an American to my limited freedom and freedom of speech. Also, my inherent pursuit of happiness...ergo, I can be all those things if I choose to do so because it gives some sick form of joy.

[ EDITED FOR CONTENT ]

Steve's gone, it was tragic, that's it. If anything, he's managed to continue his education of stingrays through his death. Brought worldwide awareness of a specie of animal that not many people on this planet knew could kill a man. He's immortalized in his work and his television shows. Is it possible to just drop the subject now? Or, do we need to continue attacking me and FX for having opinions that don't fall within the norm?

P.S., I still don't like FX...I just tolerate him.

Xeo, can you talk to my bosses about being immature and stupid...it might help my promotion...and, I'll stop because I can let things go.

a stingray? eeeg....those things are terrible, one of the most dangerous animals in the world (the most dangerous is a hippo...go figure) but all in all not the worst way ever to go out. if i had a choice on what animal could kill me i would definatly choose swordfish though....or marlin. Or maybe being mauled to death by a pidgeon....that would look interesting....diffucult to orchestrate but interesting
. I was shocked to hear that he died but like many i wasnt surprised. There was an unmatched bravery and passion to him that the world needs more of these days.

in other news i take issue with about half of the content of this thread

My rebuttal :

Everything should be mocked, death included. if we dont mock something we allow it dignity and trust me kids, death dosent need any more god damn dignity

sarcasm dosent work in text form, maybe you should italicize the sarcasm

See, I completely empathize with this. When my cat, Harrison, disappeared I was completely upset and when rumors started floating around the neighborhood of how all these other cats were disappearing and they thought someone in the neighborhood was taking the cats and torturing them, I became an emotional wreck over it.

I still often think of Harrison and break into tears at the thought that he was out there and scared or someone had harmed him or killed him. I only hope that he went to a good home and whoever took him is treating him better than I did.

This is a side of Steve Irwin not many people are used to seeing. This video made me feel I had a connection with him even if it was just that we had animal friends we deeply loved.

It's a horrible thing that he died, even more horrible that his daughter was there when it happened. What is saddest of all is that this thread turned into a flame fest. I'm ashamed of all of you that participated in it. You've all read the rules, you should know better.

A man that loved animals and did things for the animals that no other people would be able to do! He cared about animals and how they lived and what they did! He was the man to go to when there was an animal needing saving and the way that he did things not only educated us but kept us at the end of our seats!

As far as the angry bitter ones or so the others call you all.....If you were to die, and your funeral was this thread or whatnot, im sure as hell you wouldnt want anyone speaking badly about you and what you did, granted, you are an american citizen, We had our forefathers in the past generations fight for the that right that we have called freedom. You can use it to your full advantage, but theres a time and a place for such things, and I believe that this isnt one of them.

Guess I'll have to step in. First person to respond to Benja's post in an inflammatory way will be happy to know that they got this thread closed.

Anyway, I heard this, and I simply thought, "oh." I don't have TV, so the most I ever saw him was in the Croccodile Hunter movie, which I hear wasn't much like the show.

But it is still a pity that anyone would die, though he was fortunate to have such a fast death, in comparisn to waht could have happened to a wildlife man going around everywhere, and holding the tail of extremely poisonous snakes.

I knew that this would be the way that he'd go... I just had a feeling.

Don't view this as me flaming him, but he had it coming to him. With the kind of job that he had, there was a large level of risk. But despite that, he did what he loved and managed to do it for this long. It was just a matter of time...

I was personally in disbelief when I first heard about it until I Googled it. Surely enough, there it was. Just like when my grandmother passed away last December, it took a while to sink in.

Truly a legend, he was the first true crocodile hunter, but he certainly won't be the last. But one thing is certain: The world is a little less Aussie right now....

I heard from a few people that Steve Irwin's request was that were he in danger and died during a shoot, he wanted the cameras to keep rolling and for the footage of his death to be released so as to educate the public further on animals.

At the moment, different press outlets are clammering for the footage and there is a general feeling that someone will eventually leak it onto YouTube. Chances are pretty high that it will, YouTube does randomly get all sorts of footage before the media does.

After doing a short search out of curiosity, all of the videos thus far have been tributes and montages of him on his show with his wife and daughter, Bindi.

(Last edited by Rogue on 09-10-06 06:01 AM)

DéesseSailor DéesseMistress of PinkAmbition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy

It was a huge shock, to think that a ray could kill him when he reseals with crocodiles and snakes etc. I wasn't a fan of him, but just thinking about all the good he has done and how much he has helped the wildlife.

And after a week or so Peter Brock was killed in a car accident, so that's two great aussie icons gone